By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless, which serves a number of counties in Alabama including Chilton, has received $275,000 from the Emergency Solutions Grant program.

Gov. Kay Ivey awarded $2.5 million as a part on the Emergency Solutions Grant program “to help homeless Alabamians find immediate housing and to assist others who are in danger of becoming homeless,” according to a release from the governor’s office.

The Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Balance of State Continuum of Care for 42 counties in Alabama, which helps fund public and private efforts to meet the needs of the homeless and prevent homelessness.

Emergency Solutions Grants are given to “organizations across the state that provide shelter, legal and health services and financial education for families and individuals without a residence. The grant program also can assist these families with moving costs, including rental and utility deposits,” according to the release.

“While many of us gather with family and friends this time of year, it’s important to remember that there are some Alabamians currently struggling to keep a roof over their heads and others who don’t have a home at all,” Ivey said in the release. “I am pleased to award this funding to provide important aid to many families at a critical moment in their lives.”

The grant program is funded by through HUD  and is overseen by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

“The Emergency Solutions Grant program helps families dealing with very difficult times avoid homelessness and take important steps to becoming independent and self-sufficient,” ADECA director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join with Governor Ivey in providing this vital assistance to local programs who help families in need.”

Grants were also awarded to 12 governments and community agencies “that administer the program locally and assess individual needs for those seeking assistance.”

These included:

• $275,000 to the city of Florence (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties)
• $223,039 to 2nd Chance (domestic violence victims in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties)
• $200,000 to Penelope House (Mobile city)
• $200,000 to the city of Birmingham
• $250,000 to the city of Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County)
• $275,000 to the city of Huntsville
• $245,870 to YWCA of Central Alabama (victims of domestic violence in Blount, Jefferson, and St. Clair counties)
• $133,786 to the Shelby County Commission
• $200,000 to Housing First (Baldwin and Mobile counties)
• $200,000 to The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama (Baldwin and Mobile counties)
• $20,000 to The Marshall County Home Place